By Diana L. Coleman
Legal News
On October 29, 2013, a group of legal support professionals gathered at Northside Pub to formulate plans for an organization consisting of members from a wide variety of legal support staff positions. The meeting was spearheaded by Chris Miles, legal assistant to attorney Jeffrey D. Vanderstelt. Miles would also like to make certain that Beth Johnson, Kasey Spofford, and Kelly Horness are recognized for helping her get started.
Approximately fifteen attended the meeting. Miles said, “Those attending were all legal assistants and paralegals from area firms and private practice attorneys. We had hoped that we would see some attendance from the court staff, but we will work on that before our next meeting.”
Local law firms represented included Parmenter O’Toole, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Potuznik, Carrozza, Wilson Fisher and Pannucci, Edward Anderson, Houghtaling Wasiura and Catalino, Matt Kacel, Matthew T. Miller and Associates, Gary Veurink, and Gielow Groom Terpstra McEvoy.
Overall, Miles felt the first meeting was successful. “We went over objectives for our group and the idea behind the organization. We used the time to glean ideas of what we were looking for in an organization,” said Miles. At this point the group is planning to meet quarterly.
“Everyone attending was quite excited about the concept and we will see how the group evolves,” Miles added.
It is the plan to host educational speakers at the meeting and have discussions regarding topics that are current to the duties of a legal assistant, legal secretary, paralegal, court support staffer or others working in the legal field as a support professional.
The group’s formation is strictly local and is not affiliated with any state or national organizations. It will be called Lakeshore Legal Assistant Association (LLAA).
The next LLAA meeting is scheduled for January, 2014. Miles said, “I will be contacting all who attended the first meeting and trying to reach others in the legal community so we
ave a broader representation
and more attendees at the next meeting.”
Those seeking additional information about LLAA can email Chris Miles at muskegonLLAA@outlook.com
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